Darcy had invited Bingley to join them in calling at Gracechurch Street. Bingley had sent his regrets, claiming aprior engagement. He did ask, however, to be remembered to them.
Darcy paced back to a window and paused. He was staring out at the street, focused on nothing but his thoughts when he was startled by a sharp rap at the door. He opened it to find his cousin standing there.
“Fitz!”
“Darcy.”
Darcy walked back to the window and looked out. Fitz’s horse was nowhere in sight.
“I was keeping an eye out for you. When did you get here?”
“While you were up here pacing about the room. Yes, I saw you through the window. I know you are anxious to see her, cousin, but you will be able to sit still in the carriage, will you not?” Fitz teased him.
Darcy scowled at his cousin. “Let us go.”
Fitz chuckled as he followed Darcy out of the study.
“Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mr. Fitzwilliam.” The butler, Fletcher, announced their guests.
Jane stepped forward to greet them.
“It is lovely to see you all again. Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and . . . Mr. Fitzwilliam?”
He nodded.
Jane continued, “Please meet Mr. Edward Gardiner and Mrs. Madeleine Gardiner. Aunt, Uncle, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, his sister Miss Georgiana Darcy, and their cousin Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam of Thornbridge Hall in Derbyshire.”
“We are pleased to meet you both,” Mr. Darcy said.
“The pleasure is ours. Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Aunt Madeleine invited them.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth questioned with a smile. She noticed he was not wearing his red coat and sabre.
He bowed to her as if they were meeting anew. “Yes, I apologize for the confusion,” he said. “I have come into an inheritance, and resigned my commission. As of Monday, I am no longer a colonel in His Majesty’s Army.”
“Congratulations on receiving your legacy,” Uncle Edward said.
“Thank you,” Mr. Fitzwilliam replied with a smile.
“Georgiana, have you made further progress with your sheet music?” Elizabeth asked.
“I have! What about you, Mary?”
“I have not had the time,” Mary replied. “We were quite busy right up until we left Hertfordshire. I did, however, bring it with me so I can practice while I am here.”
“Oh good! We can practice together,” Georgiana said.
“Yes, I would like that! With your help, I am sure I shall accomplish quite a bit.”
“Miss Darcy, are you as fond of the pianoforte as Mary?” Aunt Madeleine asked.
“Oh, yes, Mrs. Gardiner, I am very fond of it.”
“Then I hope sometime we shall hear you play.”
Georgiana blushed. “I would be delighted. Perhaps Mary and I can perform a song together as well.”
“We shall look forward to it,” Uncle Edward said.
